Chapter 394 Questionnaire, Controllable Opposition

Chapter 394 Questionnaire, Controllable Opposition

Chapter 394 Questionnaire, Controllable Opposition
Thanks to the army's triumphant return, the camp in Kunming City seemed particularly lively.

There was laughter and joy everywhere, and the soldiers were allowed to drink.

Liu Heiying hurried back, and after drinking five large bowls of wine in a row, he finally passed through numerous obstacles and arrived at the central army.

A huge stage was built on the huge parade ground of the central army.

When Liu Heiying passed by, just like yesterday, Mr. Xue went on stage to play music.

Although I really want to stay and take a look.

But Liu Heiying was still thinking about business and rushed into the central military tent.

The tent was as simple as ever.
Tables, chairs, benches, maps, sand tables, and a slightly simple bed.

Dim candles were lit in the four corners of the room, emitting an orange-red glow.

Lu Yunyi, the commander of the front army scout department, sat behind a long table in the corner.
Looking at the military newspaper in his hand, his brows furrowed.
Sometimes I pick up a pen to write, and sometimes I pause to think.

The thick documents piled on the table had covered most of his body, and only half of his forehead was visible.

Not far away, Li Jinglong was lying on the bed with his face covered with documents, looking as if he had lost all hope in life.

Sensing the footsteps, Lu Yunyi sat up straight, revealing half of his face.
Looking at Liu Heiying who came in, his eyes lit up:
"How about it?"

Hearing the sound, Li Jinglong exerted force on his waist and raised his head.
The document covering his face fell to the side.
Seeing that it was Liu Heiying, he fell down with a thud again.

Liu Heiying walked closer and took out a bag from his waist and handed it over:

"Brother Yun'er, it doesn't seem to work."

"Not working?"

A look of surprise flashed across Lu Yunyi's eyes, and his brows furrowed in an instant.

He took the bag, opened it and saw a bag of brown sugar.

"Why doesn't it work? What went wrong?"

Lu Yunyi fell into deep thought, thinking back over and over again.
After carefully confirming that there were no errors in the process, he looked at Liu Heiying:

"What does the workshop suggest?"

Liu Heiying quickly replied: "The workshop manager thinks there are only two places where things could go wrong.
One is that there was a problem with the yellow mud used, and the other is that the sedimentation time was not enough.

According to our observation, yellow mud can indeed make brown sugar fine, but not thoroughly enough. "

As he spoke, Liu Heiying pointed to the brown sugar in front of him:
"This is the brown sugar that has been precipitated for half an hour. It is 30% finer than the normal brown sugar."

Lu Yunyi's eyes flashed with brilliance, and he asked:

"Are they going to continue to refine brown sugar this way?"

Liu Heiying understood what he meant and shook his head:

“Although the brown sugar can be refined, the loss is still the same amount.

After careful calculation, it is not worth it.

Therefore, Sheung Shui Sugar Refinery did not intend to use this technology, and there was no possibility of gradual improvement.

Unless we pay the money,
We kept buying this fine brown sugar from the Shangshui Sugar Factory to cover their losses.”

Lu Yunyi shook his head:
"Since we want to improve the process, why bother?
Tomorrow I will bring one thousand two taels of silver to buy the right to use a sugar jar and continue trying.

Use all means, regardless of cost.

All the expenses will be borne by us.

In short, tell the shopkeeper that brown sugar can definitely be turned into white sugar, and the sugar-sprinkling method also exists.

All he needs to do is perfect the various details and complete the task.

If he agrees, we will send someone to the workshop tomorrow to supervise.

I will check the whole process, and I will report this matter to the Marquis' Mansion."

Liu Heiying nodded repeatedly: "Got it, Brother Yun'er."

At this time, Li Jinglong, who was originally paralyzed on the bed, heard the conversation between the two and sat up suddenly, his face full of confusion.

"What turns brown sugar into white sugar?"

Lu Yunyi turned his head and laughed:

"Duke Cao, how are the documents handled today?"

Li Jinglong shook his head like a rattle:

"I drank two glasses of wine and felt a little dizzy. I couldn't handle it."

"Ha ha ha ha."

Lu Yunyi laughed and told him about the yellow mud water sugar pouring method.

Hearing this, Li Jinglong suddenly became alert and ran over to the front.

He put his hands on the table, his eyes wide open:
"Yun Yi, I also have a sugar factory in Kunming, why should I spend money?"

what?
Lu Yunyi and Liu Heiying's eyes widened, their faces filled with confusion.

Seeing them like this, Li Jinglong smiled and explained:

“Sugar is too important in the military, and most sugar factories in the south are controlled by nobles.

It will be easier to deploy them when war breaks out, and there is no need to worry about the court defaulting on its debts.

Yunnan is adjacent to Luchuan and Annan, which is a good place to make sugar.

Isn't it normal to have a workshop here?"

Lu Yunyi thought about it and it seemed to be true.

The most feared thing for private workshops is defaulting on their debts and long payment terms.
Once the imperial court went to war, it would take at least a few months, or at most half a year, for the money to come in.

An ordinary workshop has only outflows and no incomings. It will probably close down within a few months, or even within a month.

Lu Yunyi looked at Liu Heiying and nodded at him.
Liu Heiying immediately understood and took out the prescription from his pocket and handed it over:

"Duke Cao, look at this, it's a way to turn stone into gold."

After Li Jinglong took it, he quickly scanned the prescription, slowly raised his head, and shook his head blankly:
"can't read"

“But it doesn’t matter, I can let the craftsmen in the workshop take a look.

If it can really be done, we will research it out even if we have to stop doing business."

Lu Yunyi nodded:
"Okay, we'll walk on two legs and have two workshops develop together.

The initial direction is the composition of the yellow mud and the time of sedimentation.

As for the specific details, professional matters should be left to professionals.

It requires research by craftsmen, and I don’t understand it.”

Li Jinglong folded the prescription and put it away:

"I will make arrangements tomorrow and have my personal guards take care of this matter personally."

"it is good!"

Lu Yunyi quickly put the matter behind him and turned to talk about other things:
“My father-in-law revealed today that it may not last more than seven days.

The report on the return of troops from the capital will be delivered soon, and we must be prepared then.

Even if I leave, I cannot stop the experiments in the workshop and the planting of sweet potatoes. I have to leave enough silver.

In addition, go out less these days, be vigilant at all times, and pay attention to your own safety."

Li Jinglong and Liu Heiying became serious in an instant.

Knowing what he was talking about, she nodded slightly.

"Okay, we're busy today, so we'll talk about it tomorrow. I want to take a look at the military newspapers that have been piling up these days."

Lu Yunyi waved his hand, clearly intending to send the guest away.

The two were obviously used to it, so they didn't leave immediately but waited there.

As expected, Lu Yunyi just lowered his head and raised it again:
"By the way, there's one more thing."

The two of them showed expressions of "as expected" and waited quietly.

“The bamboo tube filling method needs detailed regulations.

This time firearms performed brilliantly, killing and wounding nearly 50% of the enemy troops killed.

Even if many military commanders and weapons workshops resist, it is time to promote firearms.

As pioneers, we need to take all aspects into consideration.

Otherwise, someone might make things difficult for us when we return to Beijing.
It would be a joke if we couldn't explain why.

We must be prepared. The imperial court will not personally intervene in the promotion of the new tactics, nor will it start a war over this matter.
After all, some high-ranking military officials in the court are still there.”

The two nodded solemnly, and suddenly felt a sense of crisis in their hearts.

The end of a war often means the beginning of a new war.

Li Jinglong said in a deep voice: "Yun Yi, Zi Gong and Guo Quan have been studying the ideas for improving firearms and military formations.

At the same time, I am also collecting the shortcomings of the fire gun. Do you have any ideas?"

Lu Yunyi thought about it and spoke decisively:
“Distribute a questionnaire and ask each musketeer to fill it out personally.

Even if there is nothing wrong, you have to find faults with it, and learn to read.

Don't push them too hard, just coordinate before the army sets out."

"Questionnaire? What is that?" Li Jinglong looked confused.

Lu Yunyi was stunned and gently rubbed his eyebrows:

“It’s just paper and pen, for one person only.

You have to write your name. If the question you ask is good enough, I will give you a reward of ten taels!"

After hearing this, Li Jinglong understood and became excited:
"This is a good idea!!"

Lu Yunyi looked at Liu Heiying:

"Other soldiers were to perform their assigned military duties, except for daily drills.
Try out the bamboo tube filling method, and, by the way, let some disabled soldiers participate.

If they are capable of doing it, it's okay even if they are a little slower.

If the imperial court adopts our method in the future, some disabled soldiers will have a place to go.

After returning to Beijing, these benefits should be widely publicized.
The imperial court might take over our words and make something of them.”

Li Jinglong's eyes lit up again:

"Okay, okay, this method is also good!

Yun Yi, relying on the placement of soldiers,
The imperial court had to roll out the bamboo tube filling method.
By that time, the spread of firearms will not be far behind.”

Liu Heiying also understood the reason and nodded:
"Brother Yun'er, I understand."

Lu Yunyi thought about it carefully, and found that there was nothing else to order, so he waved his hand:

"Okay, it's okay."

The two men turned and left, stopping at the entrance of the military tent.

Sure enough, a voice came from behind:
"and many more!"

"One last thing, send a message to the entire army.

Each officer above the general flag should write a letter about his or her ideas for improving the southwest war.

It will be reviewed by the superiors, gradually reviewed, and then sent up.

Okay, it's all right now."

Until this time, Liu Heiying turned around and said with a smile:

"Brother Yun'er, wait for me to take a shower and then I'll go through the documents with you."

"it is good."

Liu Heiying looked at Li Jinglong standing beside him.

He quickly shook his head, his eyes full of rejection, as if to say, he would never come again.

After the two left, the military tent became quiet.

Lu Yunyi still sat there, quietly looking at the document in his hand.

Outside the military tent, Liu Heiying, who was rushing back to the military tent, ran into Hu Xiaowu and saw him blocking the way.
Liu Heiying said hurriedly:
"Xiaowu, get out of the way quickly. Help me guard this place and don't let anyone in. Go get two large basins of hot water."

Liu Heiying rushed into the military tent and began to take off his armor in a hurry.

Except for his palms, all parts of his body now felt sticky with sugar liquid, which was very uncomfortable.

When you take off the armor, some sugar threads will appear if you touch it casually.

Before he could take off his armor, Hu Xiaowu's head popped in from outside the military tent.

His face showed hesitation, and his voice was also somewhat hesitant:
"grown ups."

Liu Heiying stood there in a daze, looking at him in disbelief:

"Why are you still here? Aren't you going to get some hot water?"

Hu Xiaowu blinked, nodded slightly, and then retracted his head.

After a cup of tea,
Plop—Liu Heiying got into the bathtub. The icy coldness that attacked every part of his body made him gasp for air.

However, the comfortable feeling coming from his body made his pores open and gave him goose bumps.

At this time, Hu Xiaowu came in with two personal guards and several large buckets of hot water.

When the hot water was ready, he waved to his guards:

"Okay, you guys go out and stand guard at the door."

The two guards said yes and quickly retreated.

After they left, Hu Xiaowu picked up the hot water bucket and slowly poured hot water into the bathtub:

"My Lord, is it hot?"

"Down, down, down. I'm thick-skinned and I'm not afraid."

A bucket of hot water was poured, and Hu Xiaowu poured another bucket.
With the soaking of hot water, Liu Heiying felt the stickiness on his body fade away little by little, and the long-lost feeling of comfort came over him.

In the steaming heat, Liu Heiying opened his eyes.

Looking at Hu Xiaowu who was standing aside with a tangled look on his face, he asked:
"What's the matter?"

Hu Xiaowu stood there, his facial features twisted together.
He scratched his head hard, his face full of confusion:

"My Lord, I have recently come across something strange, and I feel like something is not right."

Liu Heiying opened his eyes again, sat up straight, and looked a little solemn:
"What's wrong?"

Although the war is over now, the more powerful enemies have not yet been dealt with.

Liu Heiying had already ordered many of his trusted people to observe any strange happenings around them.

For example, explorations outside the camp, people appearing out of nowhere, or some inexplicable interactions.

All sorts of strange things have to be recorded, and there are already some.

Hu Xiaowu didn't know where to start, and his cheeks turned red.

Liu Heiying was very familiar with this look. Xu Zengshou looked like this a few days ago.
"Do you have a girl you like?" Liu Heiying asked tentatively.

Hu Xiaowu widened his eyes and shook his head quickly:

"No, no, there is a girl."

"Like you?"

Liu Heiying's eyes suddenly widened, and he looked at Hu Xiaowu from head to toe.

He was less than 20 years old, tall but not strong.
He looks average, a little dark, but very energetic.

Hu Xiaowu's face flushed, he moved closer, lowered his voice and said:

"Sir, if there is a girl who is cold to others but very enthusiastic towards me and always smiles...is this the one."

Liu Heiying thought for a moment and replied:
"Yes and no, either I like you, or I want to keep you hanging."

"Hanging?" Hu Xiaowu was a little confused.

Liu Heiying thought for a moment and said in a heavy voice:
"Women play with men like puppets, making men's hearts hang in suspense without getting the result."

Now Hu Xiaowu understood.

He thought about it and nodded solemnly:

"My lord, that's right, but it's a little strange."

"You went to a brothel? Who is that woman? If she is someone from the brothel, don't take her seriously."

Liu Heiying smiled, leaned against the wall of the barrel, and closed his eyes:

"Sir, I have run a brothel.

Those women are very smart and you can't control them.

You have no experience in love, so you should contact more, sleep more, and pay less, that's the right thing to do."

"No, no, it's not from the brothel."

Hu Xiaohu shook his head repeatedly, his face reddening again:
"It's that Mr. Xue."

Huh? Liu Heiying sat up straight with a look of astonishment on his face, and then his expression became serious.

"Talk about it."

Hu Xiaowu nodded, told what happened yesterday and today, and finally added:
"Just now, she asked me to take her back and even gave me some food to thank me for the ride."

"and then?"

Liu Heiying's face was extremely solemn.

For some reason, Hu Xiaowu felt empty inside and his expectations were low:
“I didn’t go.”

Liu Heiying's breathing suddenly became rapid, and he pointed at Hu Xiaowu with gritted teeth!
"You, you, do something.

This person is probably possessed by a demon. What if you don't go close to her and she runs away?"

Hu Xiaowu's cheeks are still rosy.
But I didn't panic, instead I breathed a sigh of relief.
I feel much better now that things have been talked out.

Liu Heiying sat back in the bathtub, no longer caring about the comfort and stickiness on his body.

Then his eyes rolled around and his thoughts wandered.

After a while, Liu Heiying looked at Hu Xiaowu and asked:

"Do you know where she lives?"

Hu Xiaowu nodded repeatedly: "I know."

"Okay, now take my warrant and go find Wang Xue.

Find an exquisite but inexpensive musical instrument from the captured items and run to deliver it.

Remember, give the things and leave without saying anything more.
Stay as cowardly as you are now and be shy.

If she wants to keep you there, you can't agree to it no matter what."

Hu Xiaowu's eyes widened and his face turned even redder:
"Sir, why can't you stay?"

Liu Heiying widened his eyes and slapped him:
“How come you’re going back further and further?

If she were a spy, she would also observe the words and expressions of the people.

It would have been fine if you had secretly left the camp, but you also did not return home at night. Do you think military discipline is just a decoration?
If you want to sleep, you'll have plenty of opportunities later, why rush now?"

Hu Xiaowu grinned foolishly, and the pimples on his face seemed to have grown a little bigger.

"Sir, I understand."

Liu Heiying nodded thoughtfully:

“Tomorrow the Central Army will continue to issue orders for those artists to continue coming, and then we will find someone else to pick her up.

After arriving at the military camp, you can secretly contact each other to create excitement.

Or just make a hero save the beauty and make it a grand event.

Then you can say something like you're busy with military duties recently, you don't have time, and you're not worthy of her.

Anyway, hang her tightly and then create a."

Liu Heiying looked thoughtful, wondering how could the words come out of his mouth?
He scratched his head and after a long while, he finally remembered:

"Controllable opposition! Yes, yes, that's it.
It won’t be too late to sleep then, and it won’t cost you money.”

Hu Xiaowu looked confused and had no idea what this meant, but this did not stop him from carrying out the order.

Hu Xiaowu's complexion quickly returned to normal, his eyes were sharp, his body stood straight, and his voice was clear:

"Yes!"

"Go."

After Hu Xiaowu left, peace returned to the military tent.

The hot steam filled the entire tent.
Liu Heiying's dark face was hidden in the water vapor, flickering.

He had a calm expression and dull eyes as he leaned there quietly, his hands unconsciously tapping the edge of the barrel.

I don't know how long it took, Liu Heiying's eyes quickly stared,
He snorted coldly, with a sinister curve at the corner of his mouth.

Half an hour later, in Qingyin Lane,
This is where the poor people in Kunming city live, so it seems a bit chaotic.

In front of every house, firewood and sundries were piled up randomly.
There were also some items picked up from various places in the city that were not used at the moment, and they were all piled there.

There was also a faint smell of decay in the air, which irritated Hu Xiaowu's nostrils all the time.

However, Hu Xiaowu did not feel any discomfort at all, instead he took a deep breath.
Here, he felt like he was back home.
That shabby shack that was so far away and where he and his brother depended on each other for survival.

Hu Xiaowu walked to No. 3 Qingyin Lane and stood there quietly.

The door panel in front of me was full of pits and showed signs of disrepair.

He took a deep breath, then looked up at the unknown instrument in his hand.

He glanced at the darkness around him, confirmed that no one was watching, then gently raised his hand and knocked on the door!

thump—

As soon as I knocked, there was a slight rustling sound coming from the gap between the door panels.

Then there was a sound of doubt and a little immature.

"Who?"

Hu Xiaowu knew that these were the children.

For some reason, he pursed his lips hidden in the darkness and his expression became much darker.

"It's me, Hu Xiaowu. Is Miss Xue here?"

Hu Xiaowu deliberately made his voice hesitant and sluggish, like a woman.

There was obvious hesitation at the door, and after a while he stammered:
"I'll go call Sister right now."

After a while, hurried footsteps were heard behind the door.

Even though Hu Xiaowu was ready,

But he still couldn't help being nervous and his heart was pounding. This was the first time he took the initiative to look for a woman.

Soon, the door that was originally closed opened.

A slight creaking sound interrupted Hu Xiaowu's heartbeat.

A fresh and slightly moist breath followed.

The night is as dark as ink, and the stars are sparse.
A faint moonlight barely penetrated the clouds and fell on Xue Lan, who was dressed in white.

In the moonlight, her figure looked soft and cold.

The hair falls softly on the shoulders, with a few strands of hair slightly attached to the forehead.

The subtle shimmering of water light added a touch of charming charm to her.

Her cheeks were flushed with the rapidity of her steps,

Just like the peach blossoms blooming in spring, delicate and shy.

When she first saw the visitor, a hint of surprise flashed across Xue Lan's eyes.

The clear eyes seemed to freeze at this moment, and then the astonishment was quickly replaced by surprise.

However, this surprise was fleeting, replaced by a touch of pretended indifference.
It’s like the stars in the night sky, so far away, yet with a hint of subtle sadness.

"General, what are you doing here visiting so late at night?"

Her voice was soft with a barely perceptible tremor.

Hu Xiaowu held his breath suddenly. Even though he had already made preparations,

The figure in front of him struck his heart, causing his brain to pause for a moment.

"me."

Hu Xiaowu hesitated, even under the moonlight,

It couldn't hide his increasingly red cheeks and his embarrassment.

"me."

He hesitated for a long time, and smiled a little when he saw the cold smile of the person in front of him.

He gritted his teeth and took a step forward.
While Xue Lan was stunned, he grabbed her hand.
Then he slapped the instrument in his hand and said quickly:
"This is something I found by chance today. I don't know what it is, so I'll give it to you."

"I am leaving now."

Having said that, Hu Xiaowu didn't give Xue Lan a chance to speak and quickly turned around and left.

Xue Lan looked at the small instrument in her hand, a look of confusion flashed across her face, and then a smile replaced it.

Seeing Hu Xiaowu walking further and further away,

She took a step forward, looked at the slightly embarrassed figure in the moonlight, and whispered:
"Will we meet again?"

Hu Xiaowu's figure suddenly paused, and then he ran away at an accelerated speed.

　Sorry everyone, I was too busy with my wedding to finish writing this.
　　Continue to owe.
　　Will make up for it later.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)